Bengals Draft Ja’Marr Chase at No. 5| Team Fit and What to Expect

With the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Bengals draft Ja’Marr Chase, wide receiver out of LSU. Let’s get one thing out of the way, Ja’Marr Chase is a fantastic player. One of the best in the draft obviously. Bengals fans will wonder though if it was smart to take a receiver over a much needed offensive lineman.

Ja’Marr Chase Highlights

Ja’Marr Chase NFL Draft Profile and Stats

Ja’Marr Chase
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 208 lbs
Age: 21
College: LSU Tigers

Ja’Marr Chase 2019 Stats

Receptions: 84
Receiving Yards: 1780
Yards per Reception: 21.2
Touchdowns: 20

Ja’Marr Chase Draft Profile

Strengths

• Go-to target for Joe Burrow in his Heisman season
• Set single season SEC record for receiving yards and touchdowns as a sophomore
• Good hands
• Terrific route running and explosiveness
• More than capable blocker
• NFL size and athleticism

Weaknesses

• LSU offense was stacked in 2019
• Can he replicate the success more than one season?
• Runs routes upright at times
• Has hard time with tight press coverage

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RELATED | Full Ja’Marr Chase NFL Draft Profile, Highlights and Stats

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What to Expect From Ja’Marr Chase in 2021

Ja’Marr Chase will immediately step in and be a big time playmaker for this Cincinnati offense. He is reunited with his college quarterback in Joe Burrow and will likely supplant Tyler Boyd as the bonafide #1 target in Cincinnati. He should be able to get started quickly as his speed and chemistry with Burrow will certainly help him hit the ground running. He is pro ready and can make an impact immediately.

The question with the Bengals here is why Chase? Their offensive line was absolutely horrific and was mostly to blame for Joe Burrow’s horrible leg injury this past season. It is great for the Bengals to have another big play threat, but at what cost. It doesn’t matter who you have at receiver if your quarterback is getting killed by the defense. Chase’s output will solely depend on how good the quarterback position, whoever that may be, can play behind this porous offensive line.

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